News Headline
UEFA Champions’ League live on ESPN Star Sports
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MUMBAI: The UEFA Champions’ League kicks off on ESPN Star Sports tonight (14 September) with a host of spectacular matches featuring Europe’s top clubs. The most competent and the most celebrated soccer competition gets underway with all major clubs of Europe basking for European glory. |
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Title holders Liverpool, nine times Champions Real Madrid, English Champions Chelsea begin their campaign tonight, with Serie A champions Juventus, Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich, Spanish La Liga title holders Barcelona and English superpower Manchester United beginning their UEFA campaign on Wednesday. |
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UEFA Champions’ League 
With all summer transfers in place the race to be Europe’ best begins among the soccer superpowers. The 32 teams qualifying for the stage are classified into eight pools of four teams each. Each team will play the other three in the pool in home and away games with the top two qualifying for the round of 16. On Wednesday, ESPN Star Sports will air three action packed encounters. Villareal, the surprise entry to the Champions’ League from Spain, take on the world’s richest club Manchester United who have a dismal record on Spanish soil. Diego Forlan, the ex United forward will look to settle scores with his previous club where his potential was not utilised to the best by the Scottish coach. Arsenal will be looking to goy beyond their best of round 16 this season in the Champions’ League as they take on FC Thun, the Swiss new comers. With Arsenal at home, experts expect a backlash by the English side after their shock defeat to Middlesbrough in the Premiership. Meanwhile in the most interesting match of the night, Werder Bremen host Spanish Giants Barcelona at home. Bremen’s attacking style and never say die grit have helped them get out of the shadows of other big German clubs. One of the favourite’s for the title last year, Barcelona exited from the league in two of the best matches of the tournament against Chelsea. The Catalan side will be looking for thumping win to start the campaign. |
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NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
